Experience

Education

Biography

Majority Leader Ian Calderon was elected in November 2012 to represent California's 57th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Industry, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, La Puente, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, Whittier and the unincorporated communities of Avocado Heights, Bassett, East La Mirada, East Whittier, Los Nietos-West Whittier, South San Jose Hills, South Whittier, and Hacienda Heights.

Prior to his election to the Assembly, Ian worked for Hurley International as the Los Angeles/Inland Empire manager of retail marketing, where he supervised market surveys and research, and promoted company events. Ian served as a field representative for the State Assembly, which allowed him to assist residents in his community with various issues. In this capacity, he was able to help constituents gain better access to resources, and help them understand how legislation would affect them. Ian’s interaction with residents of the 57th Assembly District solidified his decision to run for the State Assembly as he had witnessed first-hand the need for new, unique ideas in Sacramento.

Ian graduated from California State University Long Beach where he earned a degree in Political Science, providing him with knowledge of California’s political landscape and an understanding of the State’s most critical issues.

Majority Leader Calderon currently serves as the Chair of the Select Committee on Youth and California’s Future and Co-Chair of the Legislative Technology and Innovation Caucus. He is a member of the Insurance Committee, Appropriations Committee, Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee, and the Human Services Committee.

In 2015, Majority Leader Ian Calderon was named Legislator of the Year by TechNet, received the Internet Champion Award from the Internet Association, and was named one of TechAmerica’s 2014 California Tech Champions. He also received the 2015 President's Award from the California Association of Museums and was named as a Legislative “Arts Champion” by Californians for the Arts.

Majority Leader Calderon resides in Whittier with his wife Elise.

Who gave money to this candidate?

Contributions

Total money raised: $1,192,642

Top contributors that gave money to support the candidate, by organization:

1

California State Council of Laborers

$17,000

1

SEIU California

$17,000

1

SEIU Local 2015

$17,000

1

State Building & Construction Trades Council of California

$17,000

2

California State Pipe Trades Council

$16,500

More information about contributions

By State:

California 77.66%

District of Columbia 5.32%

Texas 2.49%

Tennessee 1.72%

Other 12.80%

77.66%12.80%

By Size:

Large contributions (99.99%)

Small contributions (0.01%)

99.99%

By Type:

From organizations (98.71%)

From individuals (1.29%)

98.71%

Source: MapLight analysis of data from the California Secretary of State.

Questions & Answers

Questions from The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund and California Counts, a public media collaboration. (4)

Climate changes and the continuing drought worry many in California. What new strategies do you believe would ensure that California is able to both satisfy its water needs and protect the environment? Please be specific.

Answer from Rita Topalian:

I support all cost-effective strategies to store and deliver water to where it is needed. We must carefully balance people's need for water vs. environmental issues. Fully developing the use of recycled water is a promising approach. Furthermore, we must continue the progress we have made in reducing all forms of smog in the 57th Assembly District.

What are your top three fiscal priorities, recognizing the need to balance the state’s income with its spending?

Answer from Rita Topalian:

Approval of annual state budgets are an opportunity for the legislature to prioritize needs versus resources. Every budgetary expense increase proposal must be paid for with identified and available resources.

There are a variety of proposals to raise California's minimum wage. Many of these proposals face opposition from business groups who are concerned that they would kill jobs. Do you support increasing the minimum wage in California? In your answer please explain your position on the relationship between wages and jobs with specific reference to the situation in your district.

Answer from Rita Topalian:

Governmental increases in the minimum wage is proven to have a negative impact on the number of available jobs for job seekers with limited education or expertise. Raising the minimum wage faster than market conditions warrant will reduce employment of those most needing a job.

Many Californians are concerned about the influence of money in politics. What can the state legislature do to ensure that decision-making by elected officials is not swayed by moneyed interests at the expense of constituents?

Answer from Rita Topalian:

One possible approach to slightly reduce the impact of money on politics would be for the legislature to pass AB2840 (by Lopez). Of course, that very small attempt to reduce free travel and hotel rooms for politicians was rejected recently. Until the people get fed-up with the legislature's corruption and special-interests relationship, nothing much is going to happen. Rejecting corrupt politicians is a critical first step.

Vote for Prop 50 in June! At least we the people should not be paying for three politicians' salaries and fringe benefits when they were suspended from the legislature after being charged in Court with corruption.

Who gave money to this candidate?

Contributions

Total money raised: $143,468

Top contributors that gave money to support the candidate, by organization:

1

Employees of Stanford University

$6,000

2

Employees of TOPALIAN, RITA H.

$5,595

3

California Trailblazers

$5,257

4

Los Angeles County Disposal Asociation

$5,000

5

Employees of Colliers International

$4,200

5

Employees of Enterprise Holdings

$4,200

More information about contributions

By State:

California 96.15%

Colorado 3.05%

Montana 0.73%

Michigan 0.07%

96.15%

By Size:

Large contributions (95.83%)

Small contributions (4.17%)

95.83%

By Type:

From organizations (16.26%)

From individuals (83.74%)

16.26%83.74%

Source: MapLight analysis of data from the California Secretary of State.